Golf 118 TSI Engine Failures and Service Campaign 24S4

[YoYoYo]

Hi Everyone.

First post.

Six months ago, I bought a used 118TSI... With the 7spd DSG, at 71'000KM
I did a bunch of research before on pulling the trigger on purchasing, I ended up with an October 2012-Build Model Year 2013 (However that works....), it is now just under 80'000km. From what I had gathered, the big issues (Engine and DSG failures) had been fixed up by then.

The night before my first service, it started to produce a squeaking noise.
The (independent) mechanic completed the 75'000KM service, and installed a new water pump. All up $1400.

Now, I have started to notice pinging, and a brief rattle on startup (when it hasn't been started for a while). Additionally, on two separate occasions, the supercharger has refused to kick in for the day. Both times it was working the next day. It's been fine since.

My independent mechanic advised me that the supercharger air flap is suspect, and the timing chain will need to be replaced. I was advised that it would be a good option to sell the car. (Though this doesn't sit right with me, even though the previous owners probably knew about these issues).

I also have the DSG shuddering, which occurs after crawling below the speed where the clutch can fully engage in 2nd gear, then accelerating. I'm aware that the DSG should be driven like a manual, and not to allow the car to crawl and slip the clutch (eventually killing it). I didn't ask my independent mechanic to take a look, because I usually don't encounter the issue when I drive it keeping in mind the lifespan of the clutches.

I then completed my Takata airbag recall at my local VW dealership, and I asked if there were any software updates outstanding, I was told NO. Upon receiving my car, I notice a new small chip, and point it out to the guy handing over the keys. He denies that the dealership could have created it, even though I have photo's from that specific area from just a few days before after I cleaned and washed it up. Additionally, I found out that they are supposed to complete a walk-around of the car before accepting it, to identify any pre-existing damage. They didn't do that.


Just this week, I took it to a different VW service centre, to get them to diagnose the issues and prepare a quote for repair. (They completed the walk-around inspection too!)
I prepared this video to assist them (although at the time it didn't have the text overlay). YouTube
They called back, and advised me that the following work was needed (prices include labour):

'Timing Kit' (with software update) $2449
'Clutches Kit' (with software update) $2290
'Regulating Flap of Intake Air' (Ooohhh sounds fancy, right?!) $840

Total parts cost ~$3350.

Nearly $5600, to fix issues that should have been resolved before this car was built. (Not sure about the supercharger air flap though. I suspect it may just need a clean. They want $592 for the part!)


Today, I have informed their Service Advisor that I wish to request a Goodwill Repair.
Hoping to hear back soon.

To answer your question, @vw4ever, yes there still might be issues with the newer 118TSI's.

I really like the car, it's one of the few interesting, safe cars with good acceleration, and good fuel economy to boot. Unfortunately I could re-fuel a V8 commodore quite a few times for $5600....

What are my chances of them accepting a goodwill repair?

[walbjj]

Hi Everyone.

First post.

Six months ago, I bought a used 118TSI... With the 7spd DSG, at 71'000KM
I did a bunch of research before on pulling the trigger on purchasing, I ended up with an October 2012-Build Model Year 2013 (However that works....), it is now just under 80'000km. From what I had gathered, the big issues (Engine and DSG failures) had been fixed up by then.

The night before my first service, it started to produce a squeaking noise.
The (independent) mechanic completed the 75'000KM service, and installed a new water pump. All up $1400.

Now, I have started to notice pinging, and a brief rattle on startup (when it hasn't been started for a while). Additionally, on two separate occasions, the supercharger has refused to kick in for the day. Both times it was working the next day. It's been fine since.

My independent mechanic advised me that the supercharger air flap is suspect, and the timing chain will need to be replaced. I was advised that it would be a good option to sell the car. (Though this doesn't sit right with me, even though the previous owners probably knew about these issues).

I also have the DSG shuddering, which occurs after crawling below the speed where the clutch can fully engage in 2nd gear, then accelerating. I'm aware that the DSG should be driven like a manual, and not to allow the car to crawl and slip the clutch (eventually killing it). I didn't ask my independent mechanic to take a look, because I usually don't encounter the issue when I drive it keeping in mind the lifespan of the clutches.

I then completed my Takata airbag recall at my local VW dealership, and I asked if there were any software updates outstanding, I was told NO. Upon receiving my car, I notice a new small chip, and point it out to the guy handing over the keys. He denies that the dealership could have created it, even though I have photo's from that specific area from just a few days before after I cleaned and washed it up. Additionally, I found out that they are supposed to complete a walk-around of the car before accepting it, to identify any pre-existing damage. They didn't do that.


Just this week, I took it to a different VW service centre, to get them to diagnose the issues and prepare a quote for repair. (They completed the walk-around inspection too!)
I prepared this video to assist them (although at the time it didn't have the text overlay). YouTube
They called back, and advised me that the following work was needed (prices include labour):

'Timing Kit' (with software update) $2449
'Clutches Kit' (with software update) $2290
'Regulating Flap of Intake Air' (Ooohhh sounds fancy, right?!) $840

Total parts cost ~$3350.

Nearly $5600, to fix issues that should have been resolved before this car was built. (Not sure about the supercharger air flap though. I suspect it may just need a clean. They want $592 for the part!)


Today, I have informed their Service Advisor that I wish to request a Goodwill Repair.
Hoping to hear back soon.

To answer your question, @vw4ever, yes there still might be issues with the newer 118TSI's.

I really like the car, it's one of the few interesting, safe cars with good acceleration, and good fuel economy to boot. Unfortunately I could re-fuel a V8 commodore quite a few times for $5600....

What are my chances of them accepting a goodwill repair?

sorry, i cant help but think why anyone would even consider buying a 118, its akin to someone buying a used jaguar, alfa romeo, range rover, maserati, fiat. the only reason is if you were such a keen enthusiast that no amount of logic could sway u, but come on, a 118. i hope the car was dirt cheap, but thats come back to bite u in the ass.
from experience with vw, unless it has extended warranty, has a full service history with that vw dealership, or u know people, then highly unlikely that they will come to the party.
anyone that purchases a 118, with its well documented history and then suffers problems needs to own it. its not like u can raise ur hands and say, "how was i to know?". everyone knows

[ope126]

Hi Everyone.

First post.

Six months ago, I bought a used 118TSI... With the 7spd DSG, at 71'000KM
I did a bunch of research before on pulling the trigger on purchasing, I ended up with an October 2012-Build Model Year 2013 (However that works....), it is now just under 80'000km. From what I had gathered, the big issues (Engine and DSG failures) had been fixed up by then.

The night before my first service, it started to produce a squeaking noise.
The (independent) mechanic completed the 75'000KM service, and installed a new water pump. All up $1400.

Now, I have started to notice pinging, and a brief rattle on startup (when it hasn't been started for a while). Additionally, on two separate occasions, the supercharger has refused to kick in for the day. Both times it was working the next day. It's been fine since.

My independent mechanic advised me that the supercharger air flap is suspect, and the timing chain will need to be replaced. I was advised that it would be a good option to sell the car. (Though this doesn't sit right with me, even though the previous owners probably knew about these issues).

I also have the DSG shuddering, which occurs after crawling below the speed where the clutch can fully engage in 2nd gear, then accelerating. I'm aware that the DSG should be driven like a manual, and not to allow the car to crawl and slip the clutch (eventually killing it). I didn't ask my independent mechanic to take a look, because I usually don't encounter the issue when I drive it keeping in mind the lifespan of the clutches.

I then completed my Takata airbag recall at my local VW dealership, and I asked if there were any software updates outstanding, I was told NO. Upon receiving my car, I notice a new small chip, and point it out to the guy handing over the keys. He denies that the dealership could have created it, even though I have photo's from that specific area from just a few days before after I cleaned and washed it up. Additionally, I found out that they are supposed to complete a walk-around of the car before accepting it, to identify any pre-existing damage. They didn't do that.


Just this week, I took it to a different VW service centre, to get them to diagnose the issues and prepare a quote for repair. (They completed the walk-around inspection too!)
I prepared this video to assist them (although at the time it didn't have the text overlay). YouTube
They called back, and advised me that the following work was needed (prices include labour):

'Timing Kit' (with software update) $2449
'Clutches Kit' (with software update) $2290
'Regulating Flap of Intake Air' (Ooohhh sounds fancy, right?!) $840

Total parts cost ~$3350.

Nearly $5600, to fix issues that should have been resolved before this car was built. (Not sure about the supercharger air flap though. I suspect it may just need a clean. They want $592 for the part!)


Today, I have informed their Service Advisor that I wish to request a Goodwill Repair.
Hoping to hear back soon.

To answer your question, @vw4ever, yes there still might be issues with the newer 118TSI's.

I really like the car, it's one of the few interesting, safe cars with good acceleration, and good fuel economy to boot. Unfortunately I could re-fuel a V8 commodore quite a few times for $5600....

What are my chances of them accepting a goodwill repair?

Can I offer a suggestion from the YouTube clip.

Don't stress the car too much until it is up to operating temperature (both coolant and oil).
This is extremely important with these vehicles...

They do have a "Cold Start" process (which will sound lumpy for around 20 sec), let the car warm up and idle drop before you take off...

I assume you have now had a better experience at the VW dealership on the Southside?

Let us know how you go!

[Maverick]

sorry, i cant help but think why anyone would even consider buying a 118, its akin to someone buying a used jaguar, alfa romeo, range rover, maserati, fiat. the only reason is if you were such a keen enthusiast that no amount of logic could sway u, but come on, a 118. i hope the car was dirt cheap, but thats come back to bite u in the ass.
from experience with vw, unless it has extended warranty, has a full service history with that vw dealership, or u know people, then highly unlikely that they will come to the party.
anyone that purchases a 118, with its well documented history and then suffers problems needs to own it. its not like u can raise ur hands and say, "how was i to know?". everyone knows

I don't know why you would take it to a independent mechanic at least for it's first service or two, take it to a Volkswagen dealer to maintain service history until the car is a bit older in case you have an engine or gearbox failure. We recently purchased a 2013 build Mk7 highline with full Volkswagen service history and took it to a Volkswagen dealer for it's service. Had a goodwill claim for a water pump leak and Volkswagen would only cover 45% of the part price but whilst waiting to get this done the clutches started to slip and Volkswagen covered parts and labour 100% for this. This was just over five years since delivery.

[vw4ever]

If anyone is familiar with VW replacement policy for their 1.4 TSI twincharger engines under warranty: I would like to know what parts exactly did VW replace when they replaced an engine due to block damage (caracked pistons and cylinders) ? Did they only replace the engine block, or did they also replace injectors, spark plugs, coils, pumps, and (most importantly) the ECU ?

I am mostly interested in the case of older production engines (2009-2010), which failed and were replaced after 2012, by which time all those parts listed above should have been upgraded to the latest version. At the very least, if only the block was replaced, one would expect that those new engines would come with the latest revision pistons.

[brad]

If anyone is familiar with VW replacement policy for their 1.4 TSI twincharger engines under warranty: I would like to know what parts exactly did VW replace when they replaced an engine due to block damage (caracked pistons and cylinders) ? Did they only replace the engine block, or did they also replace injectors, spark plugs, coils, pumps, and (most importantly) the ECU ?

.

ECU definitely not changed. No reason to do so. If the software is at fault they re-flash it.

[vw4ever]

Thanks, what about injectors ? Together with the pistons (which should come revised with the new block), those were the most expensive parts which had to be upgraded to improve reliability.

[brad]

Thanks, what about injectors ? Together with the pistons (which should come revised with the new block), those were the most expensive parts which had to be upgraded to improve reliability.

I don't know.

To the best of my knowledge the pistons were the issue (apart from the crap tune). I believe some of the oil burners just got revised pistons in the original block.

If you were lucky enough to score a bore then the fix appeared to be anything from a short block to a complete crate engine.

[vw4ever]

Ok one more question: what major parts would a complete crate engine from VW have contained ? (Aside from the block, internals, gaskets etc.)

Camshaft + variator ? Injectors ? Timing chain ? Fuel pump ? None of the above ?

[The_Hawk]

They only replace damaged parts so it depends on what was found at the point things were replaced. In my case it was only the pistons as I caught it very very early.